Massachusetts Jobs

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is seeking a dedicated, mission-driven individual to fill the role of NextGen Careers Specialty Counselor-Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Reporting to the NextGen Careers Director, this individual will be a key member of a specialty team implementing a transformational approach to Vocational Rehabilitation, known as /NextGen Careers/. Through NextGen Careers, young adults between the age of 18 - 30, living with disabilities, obtain employment, advance in, or change to career ladder jobs, in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and other industry sectors through pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, Job Driven trainings, and internships. The NextGen Specialty Counselor will partner with NextGen Career participants to support them on developing and enhancing young adults’ internal skills, specifically: /self-efficacy/ (confidence in their ability to perform a job), /self-awareness/ (understanding of their strengths and limitations), /self-sufficiency/ (ability to be independent), and /self-advocacy/ (ability to direct one’s own life). The NextGen Specialty Counselor will be a key member and leader within a multi-disciplinary Integrated Resource Team (IRT). Within the IRT, the young adult is at the center and uses self-advocacy skills to drive their own plans. The NextGen Specialty Counselor will contribute their specific expertise in areas of social work, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling and/or educational counseling, as part of the IRT team. They will work collaboratively with young adults to identify and provide choice, resources, and supports, moving towards young adults taking more leadership roles in developing these skills, leading to increased independence and increased success throughout their career. The NextGen Specialty Counselor will support NextGen young adults in their employment pursuits, while prioritizing those who are deaf or hard of hearing or deaf/blind. Incumbents should have an understanding of vocational rehabilitation needs of deaf or hard of hearing and deaf/blind individuals. NextGen Careers values equity, mutuality, and cultural sensitivity, and partners with young adults in a person-centered approach, with an emphasis on a holistic experience for the participant. MRC is a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high performance teams, individual performance/contribution/impact, and engaging in activities to promote and support a program/division/agency (e.g., committee membership, Roadmap workgroup membership, presenting at Town Halls, achieving learning and performance goals). In addition, MRC is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity, as well as innovation and transformation and change, and creating a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging. This is a grant-funded position through 6/30/2026. MRC was awarded federal funds to develop and implement NextGen Careers as part of a five-year Innovation Grant. Renewable subject to available funding. This position serves a director whose function is statewide, and the position is assigned to the Roxbury Office. Some travel might be required. * Position may be full-time or part-time. Listed salary range is for full-time.* _DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES_: * Serve on an Integrated Resource Team, to provide career counseling and support to NextGen Career participants and partners, including young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. * Work collaboratively with key accessibility partners including the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to ensure best practice and following protocols/guidelines/documentation with sister agencies are understood and adhered to; * Ensure participant and IRT members are knowledgeable, aware of, and have access to specialty supports (e.g., mobility training, reasonable accommodations, CART services, and adaptive technology supports) for deaf or hard of hearing individuals, and in addition to those who are deaf blind or do not have sensory impairments. * Provide community education and in-service training for organizations, agencies and employers concerning the abilities of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other disabilities; * Educate, engage, and recruit participants in an inspiring, positive, and supportive way to increase their level of interest and enthusiasm about participating in the NextGen Careers project; * Develop working alliances with participants, based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability; * Coordinate and facilitate participant’s discovery process to determine participant’s level of career self-actualization and baseline skills of self-efficacy, self-awareness, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency; * Assemble and facilitate the participant’s Integrated Resource Team (IRT) the support the participant as the primary driver of his/her own IRT; * Provide coaching, counseling, and instruction to help strengthen the participant’s understanding and skill level of his/her self-efficacy, self-awareness, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency; * Facilitate the development of and any modifications to participant’s career portfolio, and serve as a resource for the services that may be required for the participant to achieve his/her career goals; * Support other members of the participant’s Integrated Resource Team to ensure the participant’s voice and choice is truly represented; * Coordinate and facilitate relevant services and activities to positively strengthen and build participants’ career self-actualization, including but not limited to skills instruction, rehabilitation teaching, social rehabilitation orientation, etc.; * Utilize reflective learning and coaching practices in engagement with participants and team members; * Develop and maintain working relationships with public and private organizations to support NextGen Career participants; * As necessary, lead skills training sessions based on the participant’s career portfolio, including but not limited to group workshops to prepare for job opportunities, and coordinate the methods and materials; * Monitor and evaluate participant progress throughout the process, and prepare notes for general information and to document and monitor changes; * Provide knowledge and information specific to NextGen Careers to any interested party; * Provide guidance around career development; * Assess and support cultural sensitivity specific to the needs of the participant; * Assists other members of the participant’s Integrated Resource Team in establishing employer contacts and opportunities as may be needed; * Provides coaching, counseling, and instruction throughout the NextGen Careers process in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner based on each consumer’s unique cultural background; * Helps problem-solve conflicts that may arise during the NextGen Careers project; * Document participant’s progress through NextGen Careers; and * Other duties as required to fulfill the NextGen Careers project. _Preferred Qualifications_: * Basic understanding of young adults, especially young adults with disabilities; * Experience with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; * Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) * Experience with adaptive equipment/technology; * Basic understanding of how to successfully engage and develop a working alliance; * Basic understanding of identifying an individual’s strengths and limitations; * Knowledge of the principles and techniques of employment and career counseling; * Knowledge of person-centered and psychosocial mentoring practices, i.e., self-efficacy, self-awareness, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency; * Ability to engage differently and to embrace new models of service; * Ability to and experience with using a coaching approach to working with young adults * Ability to and experience with using reflective listening strategies when working with young adults as well as working with other team members within NextGen Careers; * Ability to inspire young adults throughout the NextGen Careers process; * Commitment to flexibility, and “doing what it takes” to support participants; * Working knowledge of basic social service and counseling methods; * Ability and skills to establish working relationships with participants and their families, as well as other identified as key to supporting young adults; * Experience working as part of team, with community providers, including establishing and maintaining professional working relationships; * Ability to write clear, concise, professional reports; * Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned activity; * Ability to communicate effectively; * Ability to provide supportive counseling to participants and their families. * Ability to utilize and teach advocacy skills; * Ability to communicate and write effectively; * Ability to learn and adapt to agency policies and procedures; * Ability to effectively prioritize, organize and manage time; * Ability to think critically, use reasoning and problem-solving skills, be able to organize and prioritize, and have persuasive interactions with others; * Knowledge of human psychology and understanding of individual and collective behavior; * Ability to negotiate with others and resolve conflicts; * Ability to use technology products including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, and Zoom; and working knowledge of databases or other software applications, as necessary; * Ability to engage in data collection activities as required for the grant project; * Ability to serve diverse populations; * Knowledge of the psychological, social, educational and health issues facing deaf or hard of hearing young adults; * Ability to communicate effectively with and provide support to families and support networks of young adults; _To Apply_: Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission MRC provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world. Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MRC collaborates, problem solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone—one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive. For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/mrc _Pre-Offer Process_: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants." As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form. For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 2. Applicants should upload a cover letter and resume for the NextGen Careers Specialty Counselor - South Region requisition. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling. SUBSTITUTIONS: - A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience. - A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience. - A Master's or higher degree in social work, psychology, human services, rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or counseling may be substituted for an additional year of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience. - Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience. - One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. *Comprehensive Benefits* When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. *Job: Community and Social Services *Organization: Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission *Title: *NextGen Careers Specialty Counselor - South Region Location: Massachusetts-Roxbury-1785 Columbus Avenue Requisition ID: 230006EO